Well casing sie connector

ABSTRACT

A well casing section having a radially extending housing having a side delivery duct, and a removable inner connector member provided with an elbow duct aligned with and sealingly connected to the side duct in the casing section along parallel flat surfaces substantially aligned with the wall of the casing. This connection is made by means of hooks on the inner member which engage pin means in the casing section. Opposite ends of the casing section are provided with fastening means such as threads and/or compression fittings. The compression fitting may be pressurized by the fluid in the ducts of the connector of this invention by providing in the outer member or casing section, a small duct extending from the side duct to the periphery of the compression fitting.

United States Patent [191 Wellstein 1 Feb. 27, 1973 [54] WELL CASING SIDE CONNECTOR ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: William Wellstein, PO. Box 430, A well casing section having a radially extending hous- Fostoria, Ohio 44830 ing having a side delivery duct, and a removable inner connector member provided with an elbow duct [22] Filed Sept 1971 aligned with and sealingly connected to the side duct [21] App]. No.1 180,357 in the casing section along parallel flat surfaces substantially aligned with the wall of the casing. This connection is made by means of hooks on the inner [ii] $8.3]. 166/8251, 166/88 member which engage pin means in the casing section. 1 nti ..E b 33/03 Opposite ends ofthe casing Section are provided with Fle d of Search f i g means h as threads and/or compression fittings. The compression fitting may be pressurized by [56] References cued the fluid in the ducts of the connector of this invention UNITED STATES PATENTS by providing in the outer member or casing section, a small duct extending from the side duct to the (1) gang r'mtwl ..l66/88 periphery of the compression fitting. ay me a.. 3,467,181 9/1969 Maass .LI ..l66/88 Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney-Hugh Adam Kirk 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZYIQYS SHEET 10F 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. WILLIAM WE LLSTEIN ATTORNEY PATENTEB FEB 2 71973 SHEET 20F 2 8 334 l.\'\'f-I\'TOR. WILLIAM WELLSTEIN FIG. 6

AT'I'ORNEY FIG.4

WELL CASING SIDE CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to means for assembling and disassembling of an elbow member on a duct inside a well casing to a delivery pipe extending radially from the well casing.

2. Description of The Prior Art A common application for such a connecting means may be found in modern well water systems wherein a number of functional parts deep within a well casing cooperate to transmit fluid from the well through an encased duct or ducts in the casing and then laterally through a transverse outlet from the casing, which outlet is located below the top of the well casing and usually at a sufficient depth below the surface of the ground to avoid freezing and other superficial hazards.

One problem of prime importance is the sealing of a below the surface casing hole when a detachable connecting means in used, which will satisfy various local installation Codes and which will prevent infiltration of surface water and its accompanying impurities as might be found near barnyards or areas wherein septic tanks are used. For systems of this type there is a substantial advantage in having a connecting means which can be manipulated from the top of the well casing to readily join or disengage the internal components of the well system from a laterally extending external delivery pipe, and thereby permit installation or removal of the internal components of the well through its open top located above the ground level. Thus once the side connection is disengaged, the interior of a well casing should remain unobstructed to permit the lowering or raising of the internal components, such as a pumping apparatus, into and out of the well casing for servicing without any dismantling thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, a device according to this invention comprises a substantially T-shaped outer connecting member and an elbow duct inner connecting member which are adapted to be releasably sealingly joined together.

The T-shaped outer connecting member has bell mouth ends which may be connected to the ends of a well casing such as by seal type compression fittings or thread fasteners. This outer member is provided with a radially extending box-like housing intermediate its ends which has a transverse duct therein with internal pipe threads at its outer end and a vertically extending flat surface at its other or inner end for fitting flush against a cooperating surface on the inner member, which surfaces are substantially in alignment with the inner wall of the well casing. Also this housing is provided with horizontally disposed coupling pins on each side of the flat surface.

The inner connecting member comprises one or more elbow ducts corresponding to the one or more transverse of side ducts in the T-shaped outer member. The external or lower portion of the elbow duct or ducts parallel to the axis of the well casing is provided with threaded fittings for a pipe or pipes to be suspended therein, while other side or end of the elbow duct is provided with a vertically extending flat surface which fits flush against the cooperating flat surface on the T-shaped outer connector. Surrounding this other end of the elbow duct or ducts, there is provided in this flat surface a ring groove for seating a resilient gasket or O-ring, which is held in sealing engagement against the inside fiat surface of the outer member by hooks which extend into and over the pins in the radially extending housing of the T-shaped outermember. The inner surface of the mouths of the hooks may be tapered to facilitate their positioning on the pins. 7

An inner positioning or assembling means is attached, such as by a pipe threaded into the top surface of the inner member, so as to join or disengage the inner member from the outer member, and lower or raise the inner member and its depending apparatus in the well casing.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES nections to a well casing and which will also comply with substantially all local sanitation codes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above mentioned and other features, objects and advantages and a manner of attaining them are described more specifically below by reference to embodiments of this invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a pipe casing side connector for a single duct connector according to this invention, showing the T-shaped outer member for connection as a section in a well casing and its inner elbow duct connector poised above it for lowering thereinto;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional elevational view, taking substantially along lines 2 2 of FIG. 1 showing the assembled relationship of the inner and outer connector members, as well as their connections to a well casing and side duct;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view with parts thereof broken away of another embodiment of a pipe casing side connector according to this invention, adapted for a two duct connector;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially along lines 4 4 of FIG. 3, showing its assembled rela tionship in a well casing;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of a pipe casing connector according to this invention showing compression fittings at both ends of the outer connector member to the well casing sections; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view with parts broken away of still another embodiment of a two pipe casing connector according to this invention showing two sets of hooks and coupling pins between the members, two separate side ducts instead of concentric ones as in FIGS. 3 and 4, and also showing a non-hydraulicallypressurized seal with the pipe casing.

General Description Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, the well casing be sealingly connected to side delivery pipes 14, 114

115, 214 and 314 315 respectively. THE T-SIIAPED OUTER CONNECTING MEMBERS Since the interior of the well casing must remain unobstructed to permit the lowering or raising of a pumping apparatus withinthe well casing for servicing, the connection of a well pipethrough an elbow duct to a side delivery pipe is made outside of the circumferential wall of the well casing. Thus the T-shaped outer connectors 20, 120, 220 and 320 are provided with radially extending box-like housings 22, 122, 222, and 322 respectively. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the front of their housings 22, 222 and 322 have outwardly projecting hubs 24, 224 and 324 with internally threaded bores 26, 226 and 326, 327 therethrough into which side connecting or delivery pipes 14, 214 and 314, 315 are connected,

usually under the surface of the ground. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the outer connectors 120 has a pair of concentric radially spaced hubs 124 and 125 with internally threaded bores 126 and 127 therethrough into which concentric side connecting pipes 114 and 1 are connected.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the outer connectors and 220 have single duct 28, 228, respectively, therein, while in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer member 120 has a pair of concentric ducts 128 and 129, each of which align with their respective internally threaded bores 126 and 127, and in FIG. 6 the'outer member 320 has the pair of separate ducts 328 and 329 which align with their respective bores 326 and 327. The inner faces of the hubs 24, 125, 224 and 324 have enlarged planar surfaces 30, 130, 230 and 330 parallel to the axes of and substantially aligned with the outer walls of their respective well casings, into which surfaces the ducts 28, 128 129-, 228 and 328 329 terminate for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 2, 3 4 and.5 the housings 22, 122 and 222 are each provided with a pair of horizontally extending coupling pins 32, 132 and 232 which extend transverse. to the axis of the bores or ducts 28, 128 and 228 and adjacent to and on opposite sides thereof and behind the planar surfaces 30, 130 and 230, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the housing 322 is provided with two pairs of vertically spaced couplingpins 332 adjacent to and on opposite sides above and below the ducts 328, 329 and behind the planar surface 330.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6 the outer members 20, 220 and 320 are shown connected at their lower ends to their respective well casings 12, 212, and

312 by a compression seal fitting 34, 134, 234 and 334.

These seal fittings have an outer ring 36, 136, 236 and 336 of L-shaped cross-section, an annular flanged leg of which projects into an enlarged bore 38, 138, 238 and 338 in the end of the T-shaped outer members 20, 120, 220 and 320, respectively, thereby forming chambers 40, 140, 240 and 340 in which may be placed either a pair of spaced compressible gaskets 42 43, 142 143, and 242 243, held in spaced relationship by means of an apertured spacer ring 44, 144 or 244 as in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, respectively, or a single compressible gasket 334 as in FIG. 6. The outer ring 36, 136, 236 or 336 may be clamped to a flange 46, 146, 246 or 346 on the end of the T-shaped connectors 20, 120, 220 and 320 by means of bolts 48, 148, 248 or 348 to clamp the gaskets 42 43, 142 143, 242 243, or 334 into sealing engagement with the outside circumference of the casing 12, 112, 212 or 312, respectively, and to hold the connectors 10, 1 10, 210 and 310 in place once they are installed. To further insure that no leaks occur in this compressible sealed connection, a passageway 50, 150, or 250 may be provided extending from the ducts 28, 128 or 228 to an opening in the seal chamber 40, or 240 to place the system fluid pressure on these seals to seal more positively the connectors with their casings. For ease in manufacture these passageways 50, and 250 may be drilled in the housing castings 22, 122 and 222 and their outer ends may then be closed by screw plugs 51, 151 and 251.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the upper end of the connectors 10, 110 and 310 may be coupled to the upper well casing12, 112 and 312 by means of threads 52, 152 or 352, instead of a pressure seal connection 234 as shown in FIG. 5, and at their lower connections.

THE ELBOW DUCT INNER CONNECTING H MEMBERS The inner connecting members 60, 160, 260 or 360 are preferably in the form of a casting and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 the members 60 and 260 have a single elbow duct 62 and 262 while in FIGS. 3 and 6 the members and 360 have two elbow ducts 162, 163 and 362, 363. Each of the elbow ducts 62, 162 163, 262

and 362 363 have a lower end provided with internally threaded connections 64, 164 165and 264, 364 365, which are parallel with the axis of their well casings 12, 112, 212, and 312 for the insertion of depending pipes 66, 166 167, 266, 366 367, respectively. These depending pipes 66, 166 167, 266, 366 367 extend down into the well and connect to either a submersible electric pump, or for the two ducts in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, to a jet nozzle pump (neither of which pumps are shown).

The other or horizontal ends of the elbow ducts, 62, 162 163, 262, 362 363 which align with the ducts 28, 128 129, 228 and 326 327 in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, respectively, terminate in enlarged planar surfaces 68, 168, 268 and 368 parallel to the axes of their well casings. These flat planar surfaces 68, 168, 268 and 368 tightly adjoin the flat planar surfaces 30, 130, 230 and 330 on the outer members,

respectively, which surfaces are substantially aligned with the walls of their respective well casings. Grooves 70, 170 171, 270 and 370 371 surround each of the openings of the elbow ducts 62, 162 163, 262, and 362 363, each of which openings are provided with a compressible gasket or O-ring 72, 172 173, 272, and 372 373 for sealing the inner members 60, 160, 260 and 360 to the outer members 20, 120, 220, and 320, respectively.

The inner members 60, 160, 260 and 360 of each embodiment is provided with a pair of hook means 74, 174, 274 and 374, respectively, which project outwardly beyond and on each side of the flat planar sur- 222 and 322, and hookingly engage the couplings pins.

32, 132, 232, and 332, respectively. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6, however, shows that two pairs of hook means 374 one above and the other below the elbow ducts 362 363 openings in the surface 368, instead of just one pair on opposite sides of the duct opening. The inside surfaces of the hooks 74, 174, 274 and 374 are provided with downwardly tapered ends 76, 176, 276 and 376, and substantially parallel U-shaped seats 78, 178, 278, and 378 for vertical slideable engagement with the couplings pins 32, 132, 232 and 322, respectively. The spacing of the hooks 74, 174, 274 and 374 relative to the coupling pins 32, 132, 232 and 332 and the planar surfaces 68, 168, 268 and 368 are such that the O-rings 7 2, 172 173, 272 and 372 373 positively seal the connections between their respective ducts. These coupling pins 32, 132, 232 and 332 may be inserted in holes drilled in the housing castings 22, 122, 222 and 322 and the open outer ends of such holes may be sealed with an adhesive to prevent any leakage around such pins.

At the upper end of each inner member 60, 160, 260 or 360, an internally threaded boss 80, 180, 280 or 380 may be provided to receive a length of pipe 82, 182, 282 or 382 which is used as a handle projecting upwardly above the top of the well casing for installation and removal of a pumping apparatus into the well system. Thus, to install a pumping apparatus into a well casing equipped with one of these T-shaped connectors 10, 110, 210 or 310, an inner member 60, 160, 260 or 360 is threaded onto the upper end of the pipe or pipes 66, 166 167, 266 or 366 367 of the fluid flow system which is to be placed inside the well casing 12, 112, 212 or 312. The lift pipe 82, 182, 282 or 382 is then connected to this assembly at which time the whole assembly is inserted into the top of the well casing 12,

112, 212 or 312 with the hook means 74, 174, 274 or 374 pointing toward the side delivery pipe or pipes 14, 114 115, 214, or 314 315, and lowered until the inner member 60, 160, 260 or 360 is abreast of the boxlike housing 22, 122, 222 or 322. Since the inner ments, it is to be clearly understood that the different elements shown in the different embodiments may be interchanged without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the two pair of hooks shown in FIG. 6 may be used in any other embodiments, and the simple single compressible seal 334 also shown in FIG. 6 may be used at either top and/or bottom of the connectors to seal them in their casings. Thus, the description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a well casing side connector wherein an outer connector member has a radially extending housing which includes a transverse bore therethrough, and wherein an elbow duct inner connector member is aligned with the transverse bore in the outer member, the improvement comprising:

A. vertical engageable surfaces on said members substantially aligned with the wall of said casing,

B. horizontal coupling pins disposed in said housing transverse to said bore behind its engageable surfaces, and

C. hook means on said inner member projecting outwardly beyond its engageable surface and extending into said housing and engaging said coupling pins.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said hook means have downwardly extending tapered ends and substantially parallel inverted U-shaped seats for slidable engagement with said horizontal couplings pins.

3. A well casing side connector comprising: A. an elongated tubular outer connecting member,

a. said outer member having a housing portion spaced radially outwardly of said tubular member,

b. a duct in said housing portion having its inner open end substantially flush with an inner wall of said outer member, and

c. horizontally extending pin means in said housing portion intermediate the ends of said duct,

B. an inner member having a. an elbow duct therein with one of its ends aligned with said inner open end of said duct in said outer member,

b. hook means on said inner member extending into said housing and engageable with said pin means to connect said inner member to said outer member, and

C. seal means between said inner and outer members for sealing said inner and outer members together.

4. A well adaptor comprising:

A. an axially vertical section of well casing having a. means at each end of said section for sealing said section to a well casing, and

b. a radially extending housing on said section havl. at least one internally threaded radially extending duct therein spaced horizontally from the sides of said housing.

2. a vertical surface substantially flush with the inner wall of said casing section and having an opening of said radial duct therein, and

3. horizontally extending pins across said spacing which pins are aligned with each other and are substantially tangential to the outer circumference of said casing section,

B. an elbow duct member vertically movable inside said well casing and section having a. a pair of downwardly extending spaced hooks for engagement with said pins,

b. a vertical surface between said pins having the horizontal opening of said elbow duct alignable with the opening of said duct in said housing, and

c. an internally threaded downwardly extending opening of said duct for connecting a pipe thereto,

C. means removably connected to the upper side of said elbow duct member for suspending said member and pipe on said well and for guiding engagement and disengagement of said hooks with said pins, and

D. means for sealing the horizontal opening of said elbow member with the radial duct opening in said housing.

5. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the means for sealing at least one end of said section to said well casing comprises resilient gasket means around said well casing and located in an annular chamber in said section.

6. An adaptor according to claim 5, wherein said chamber is connected to said radial duct of said section for pressurizing said gasket.

7. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for sealing said section to said casing comprises a threaded connection on at least one end of said section.

8. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for sealing the horizontal duct of said elbow duct with the radial duct of said housing comprises an O-ring embedded between their adjacent vertical surfaces seated in an annular groove in one of said surfaces.

9. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said hook means have downwardly tapered ends and substantially parallel inverted U-shaped seats for vertical slideable engagement with said pins.

10. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the location of the seat of said hooks with respect to the horizontal opening of the elbow duct between them is accurately controlled with respect to the top edge of said pins and said opening of the radial duct between them, so as to accurately align the ducts in said housing and elbow duct member when the elbow member is connected to the housing in said casing section.

1 l. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for suspending said elbow duct member comprises a section of pipe screwed into a blind hole in the upper end of said elbow duct member, which pipe extends beyond the well casing connected above said well section.

12. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for suspending said elbow ductmember is so connected to the top part of said member so as to normally urge said member with its hooks toward said pins in said section.

a: a: a: a: a: 

1. In a well casing side connector wherein an outer connector member has a radially extending housing which includes a transverse bore therethrough, and wherein an elbow duct inner connector member is aligned with the transverse bore in the outer member, the improvement comprising: A. vertical engageable surfaces on said members substantially aligned with the wall of said casing, B. horizontal coupling pins disposed in said housing transverse to said bore behind its engageable surfaces, and C. hook means on said inner member projecting outwardly beyond its engageable surface and extending into said housing and engaging said coupling pins.
 2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said hook means have downwardly extending tapered ends and substantially parallel inverted U-shaped seats for slidable engagement with said horizontal couplings pins.
 2. a vertical surface substantially flush with the inner wall of said casing section and having an opening of said radial duct therein, and
 3. horizontally extending pins across said spacing which pins are aligned with each other and are substantially tangential to the outer circumference of said casing section, B. an elbow duct member vertically movable inside said well casing and section having a. a pair of downwardly extending spaced hooks for engagement with said pins, b. a vertical surface between said pins having the horizontal opening of said elbow duct alignable with the opening of said duct in said housing, and c. an internally threaded downwardly extending opening of said duct for connecting a pipe thereto, C. means removably connected to the upper side of said elbow duct member for suspending said member and pipe on said well and for guiding engagement and disengagement of said hooks with said pins, and D. means for sealing the horizontal opening of said elbow member with the radial duct opening in said housing.
 3. A well casing side connector comprising: A. an elongated tubular outer connecting member, a. said outer member having a housing portion spaced radially outwardly of said tubular member, b. a duct in said housing portion having its inner open end substantially flush with an inner wall of said outer member, and c. horizontally extending pin means in said housing portion intermediate the ends of said duct, B. an inner member having a. an elbow duct therein with one of its ends aligned with said inner open end of said duct in said outer member, b. hook means on said inner member extending into said housing and engageable with said pin means to connect said inner member to said outer member, and C. seal means between said inner and outer members for sealing said inner and outer members together.
 4. A well adaptor comprising: A. an axially vertical section of well casing having a. means at each end of said section for sealing said section to a well casing, and b. a radially extending housing on said section having:
 5. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the means for sealing at least one end of said section to said well casing comprises resilient gasket means around said well casing and located in an annular chamber in said section.
 6. An adaptor according to claim 5, wherein said chamber is connected to said radial duct of said section for pressurizing said gasket.
 7. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for sealing said section to said casing comprises a threaded connection on at least one end of said section.
 8. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for sealing the horizontal duct of said elbow duct with the radial duct of said housing comprises an O-ring embedded between their adjacent vertical surfaces seated in an annular groove in one of said surfaces.
 9. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said hook means have downwardly tapered ends and substantially parallel inverted U-shaped seats for vertical slideable engagement with said pins.
 10. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the location of the seat of said hooks with respect to the horizontal opening of the elbow duct between them is accurately controlled with respect to the top edge of said pins and said opening of the radial duct between them, so as to accurately align the ducts in said housing and elbow duct member when the elbow member is connected to the housing in said casing section.
 11. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for suspending said elbow duct member comprises a section of pipe screwed into a blind hole in the upper end of said elbow duct member, which pipe extends beyond the well casing connected above said well section.
 12. A well adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said means for suspending said elbow duct member is so connected to the top part of said member so as to normally urge said member with its hooks toward said pins in said section. 